title: Age-related infection with Cryptosporidium species and genotype in pigs in China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pigs, as hosts of zoonotic Cryptosporidium species/genotypes, are domestic animals with public health significance. The present study was to characterize the infection rate and species/genotype of Cryptosporidium in pre-weaned and post-weaned pigs from Shanghai and Shaoxing, China.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 208 fecal samples (42 from pre-weaned piglets, and 166 from post-weaned pigs) were examined by nested PCR of the 18S rRNA gene and analyzed by phylogenetic DNA fragment sequencing of secondary PCR products.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Infection was detected in 79 samples (19/42 pre-weaned piglets, and 60/166 post-weaned pigs). C. suis (14/79) and Cryptosporidium pig genotype II (65/79) were identified; piglets were more susceptible to the former (13/14) and post-weaned pigs to the latter (59/65).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infection of Cryptosporidium spp. in pigs was age-specific; piglets were more susceptible to C. suis while pigs were more susceptible to Cryptosporidium pig genotype II. These findings combined with the isolation of the two Cryptosporidium from water suggest that pigs may be a source of zoonotic Cryptosporidium water pollution. Improvements in pig feeding practices, sewage discharge, feces disposal and field worker protection are therefore important to prevent potential public health problems.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, MOH, China. chart2543@163.com
authors.forename: Jian Hai
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Zhong Ying
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Hui Xia
authors.initials: HX
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Yu Juan
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Yan Yan
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yan Juan
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jian Ping
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cao
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D014886:Weaning
keywords: Age-specificity; China; Cryptosporidium pig genotype II; Cryptosporidium suis; Pigs